But there was one place, remarkably, where Vanderink could always escape feelings of inadequacy -- a 3-foot-by-7-foot plot of dirt where her self-esteem took root and grew. It was a batter's box.

The Buckeyes captain has overcome a rare disorder in her right eye to become one of the top hitters in school history.

"It played a big part in gaining confidence," Vanderink said. "And it helped me bring that confidence into social gatherings where I'm around a lot of people."

Vanderink will be in the lineup today as Ohio State (31-22) completes its regular season with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. against Ohio University. The fleet left-handed hitter will dig into the box, bat cocked, chin set firmly on her right shoulder so her left eye is focused directly on the pitcher.

The stance appears unusual because Vanderink is facing the second baseman, but the results are difficult to dispute. She ranks among the Big Ten leaders in hits (67), stolen bases (16), runs (38) and batting average .362.

"This game is hard enough for players that have two eyes working the correct way," OSU softball coach Linda Kalafatis said. "It's amazing what she has been able to do. It's a sport where depth perception and tracking are so important."

As an infant, the only daughter of Steve and Dana Vanderink was diagnosed with Duane Syndrome, an eye-movement disorder that is most commonly characterized by the inability for the eye to turn outward. Her right eyeball goes slightly left of center when she looks right.

Doctors told her parents the problem was caused by the improper development of a nerve and that surgery could not repair it.

The Vanderinks, who reside in the northeastern Ohio village of Mantua, never discouraged their oldest child from any activity even on days that reduced her to tears.

"She took some grief when she was young; kids would say she has a 'weird eye,' " Dana Vanderink said. "We told her to be herself, that people will like you because of your personality."

Vanderink was a gymnast as a youth, then fell in love with softball. On the diamond, all that spectators noticed was an energetic girl who hustled, stole bases and went home wearing half the infield on her jersey.

"Brittany can be the (designated hitter) and still have the dirtiest uniform," her mother said.

What Vanderink liked more than anything was hitting. She never knew the luxury of having two good eyes teaming to follow a 65 mph fastball.

Optometrist Steven Curtis, who works with the OSU softball team, said Vanderink has learned to turn her head in such a manner that lets her track the ball with both eyes at the plate and in the field. Just the slightest wrong turn can create a dangerous blur.

Until watching Vanderink, Curtis had dissuaded clients with similar problems from playing softball and baseball because of the potential depth-perception hazards.

"Brittany is an inspiration," Curtis said. "The way she has adapted to this is incredible. It gives you goose bumps."

Softball proved to be a salvation for Vanderink in her early teens, the years she labels her "ugly stage," when she gained weight and wore braces.

Her athletic prowess made Vanderink increasingly comfortable in social settings. The blond-haired, blue-eyed girl led Crestwood High School to a softball state title. She also became a cheerleader.

After weighing scholarship offers, she chose Ohio State and last season helped the Buckeyes win the Big Ten. A two-time all-conference selection, Vanderink will finish her career ranked among the school's leaders in batting average, runs scored, stolen bases and triples.

Her versatility lets Kalafatis deploy her at second base, right field or left field. The 5-foot-1 Vanderink has endured despite knee and shoulder injuries this season.

"My arm is just about shot," said Vanderink, who requires surgery to repair her rotator cuff. "But I was thinking the other day how much I will miss the game."

A sociology major, Vanderink wants to coach and become a school guidance counselor. Her experiences in dealing with adversity would seem to enhance her qualifications.

"I know what it's like," she said. "My problems were minor, but they have made me appreciate the bigger picture."

treed@dispatch.com

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